House Democrat Jared Golden of Maine announced on Wednesday that he will not seek reelection, citing “recent events,” including political violence, polarization, and the “grim milestone” of his own party shutting the government down for the longest period in history.
Golden is one of two Congress members from Maine, and Trump won his district by 10 points last election. Per Politico, he faces a “strong challenge” from former Maine GOP Gov. Paul LePage as Democrats seek to take the House majority next election.
Axios reports that the district is “the most Republican leaning district of any House Democrat.”
Golden announced his departure from Congress on X:
“I’m confident that were I to run again, I would win. But recent events have made me reconsider whether the good I can do in Congress still outweighs the cost to my family,” he said.
“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in decades of public service. Now, I look forward to my next chapter: raising my young daughters with Izzy and spending more time with our family and friends.”
In a column for Bangor Daily News, Golden writes that he fears for the safety of his family, given the attempts on President Trump’s life last year and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, as well as the assassination of two Minnesota lawmakers and the arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home, both of which were committed by leftists.
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